With the 2012 release of ‘A Different Kind of Truth’, the eagerly awaited and much vaunted re-union of Van Halen with original front man Dave Lee Roth finally becomes a reality. It’s been a long and winding road, in fact 28 years since those heady-days which culminated in the multi-platinum album ’1984′, and a time when the band seemed to be going in one direction, and in one direction only with DLR at the helm.

Drawing on previously un-released material from the bands early days, the vibe of the album is retro, yet surprisingly fresh and upbeat. Like all classic Van Halen material, the sense of celebration leaps out at you, and weighing in at a full 13 tracks the album doesn’t deal in half measures!

Opening up with the single ‘Tattoo’, the mood, the groove and the panache ease you nicely back into your seat. Deliberate or otherwise, the guitar outtro has a distinctly ‘You’re No Good’ hook to it, the first of many deja-vu moments on the album! The temporal theme probes deeper with ‘She’s The Woman’, an upbeat, medium paced rocker with its origins on the original seventies demo tape – no less! Although this track doesn’t excite in quite the same way as the more familiar material of the same era, what marketing genius to allow us to ponder such seminal material thirty years after the event!

In contrast the slow and moody guitar intro to ‘You and Your Blues’ provides a more modern feel, and grabs your attention with the richness of its fat and colourful tone. As the song gets into its stride, the demands of the chorus finds DLR’s vocal range equal to the challenge, and the very emotive yet heavily wah’d guitar solo is definitive EVH.

‘China Town’, ‘As Is’ and ‘The Trouble With Never’ go fast, furious and riff laden, and are more akin to the type of powerhouse rock befitting an album of this nature. The latter again sees the prominent use of wah, and perhaps one of the coolest preludes to a guitar solo you could ever wish to hear. In between the pacey carnage, the very excellent ‘Blood And Fire’ further demonstrates the song writing genius of Van Halen, and primes the ear for yet more retro bliss in the form of ‘Bullethead’ and ‘Outta Space’, both of which wouldn’t have been out of place on any of the first few albums. Of note here though is ‘Outta Space’, which is quite superb, and vintage Van Halen with its driving power-vocal, motoring riffage and sublime solo. The more artistically experimental piece comes with ‘Honeybabysweetiedoll’. Heavy and effected, and with a harmonic minor flavour to the riffage, this song has an altogether more sinister feel bordering on the abstract and exotic.

But if there was any doubt lingering about a rekindling of the old magic, then ‘Stay Frosty’ puts the matter to well and truly to bed! If a penny ever needed to drop, then the return of the quirky vaudevillian ditty authenticates the reunion – hook, line and sinker!  The ‘Ice Cream Man’ effect is applied in good measure here, inducing the goose bumps and an obligatory cheshire-cat grin!

For the penultimate lap, ‘Big River’ cements Van Halen’s innate ability to successfully fuse pop with driving rock. Its ‘Runnin with the Devil’ core bass chomp and the punchy vocal make this song ooze with attitude and rhythm. To attempt not to tap one’s foot, or not be captured by the groove is an impossibility! The ADKOT presentation draws to a close with ‘Beats Workin’, yet another masterpiece of classic gutsy bedrock blues, replete with signature chorus hooks, the stirring EVH guitar work, and a distinct echo from ‘DoA’ in the riff to keep the nostalgic fires burning and yearning.

Time and tide wait for no man, but ADKOT clearly demonstrates that Eddie’s inimitable guitar technique, his rhythm and sense of melody show no signs of diminishing. The use of the the wah-pedal on this album seems conspicuous in wide application, but the underlying tone and attitude are trademark EVH. Equally, Alex Van Halen pounds the skins as skillfully and as dependably as ever, and retains that uniqueness in his signature sound. The ‘emerging-talent-award’ must surely go to Wolfgang Van Halen, who at the age of only 20 deals with all the bass chomps and vocal highs with apparent ease.

And of Dave Lee Roth? Although some of the live clips from the current re-union tour leave a lot to be desired, DLR’s studio vocals are as powerful as ever on this album. But DLR brings so much more to the party than just vocals alone, and right from the start you realise that the pieces fit back together again in the only way they ever could. With Diamond Dave, the chrome trim and the whitewalls are back on the VH machinery!

Van Halen didn’t need to re-invent any wheels on the new album, and the inclusion of previously unreleased material from the bands formative years is a neat tactic for an album of such significance and high expectation. Like all early Van Halen work, the album does have that ‘in and of the moment’ feel to it, and despite the legacy, and the hype, ADKOT does well to nail it.

SB.

CONFIRMED! MÖTLEY CRÜE HEADS TO UK BRINGING TOMMY LEE’S 360 DEGREE DRUM ROLLERCOASTER

Mötley Crüe are excited to announce that Tommy Lee will be bringing his mind blowing 360 degree drum roller-coaster to the UK for their December co-headline tour with Def Leppard! The wonders of the wheel will be spectacularly unveiled during Tommy Lee’s thrilling drum solo where he is launched into multiple loops and pyrotechnics while continuing to perform. Not one to keep the fun to himself, the drummer also hand picks a fan from the audience to join him for his crazy ride at every show. Check out just a tease of what to expect this winter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO7k1eMuTxo

Daredevil, Tommy Lee says “This idea came about from when I was a kid going to concerts. Whenever the drummer started his drum solo, I wondered why people would leave to go get a beer, buy a t-shirt, restroom, whatever!! I wanted to show people what happens behind the drum set, so I decided to expose it all by flipping the drums vertical, upside-down making them disappear and fly over the audiences heads! Mötley Crüe brings you on a thrill ride, jump on the 360! Let’s do this! By the way, it’s really f*****g difficult playing while on this ride!”

The band’s highly anticipated tour kicks off next month in Birmingham. Witness the insanity for yourself at the following dates:

Tickets are on sale now priced at £47.50 London / £45.00 regionally (subject to booking fee) via www.livenation.co.uk.

Mötley Crüe are also about to re-issue their core catalogue on CD and vinyl after a long absence in the market place. The following albums will be re-released as limited edition Vinyl replica CDs with a 16 page booklet, regular CD’s with a 5 page booklet and on 180g vinyl in a 4 colour Gatefold sleeve: ‘Too Fast For Love’, ‘Shout At The Devil’, ‘Theatre of Pain’, ‘Girls Girls Girls’ and ‘Dr Feelgood’. They will be available November 14, 2011 on Eleven Seven Music. This will be followed by ‘Motley Crue’s Greatest Hits’ package in CD, Deluxe (CD with DVD) and 180g Vinyl formats on December 5, 2011.

With their 2011 release ‘What’s Worth More?’, I Divide demonstrate an ability well beyond their years. The album opens with an ethereal piece entitled ‘Introduction’, which evokes a surreal and dreamlike mood. This soon evolves and tightens into the surgical riff work of ‘The Arrival’, and from this point on the intensity, tightness and compositional quality of the music impresses. ‘This Ships Going Down’ and ‘Stranger in the Spotlight’ maintain the grip; fast paced, punchy yet equally catchy and melodic. From the mercurial to the melancholy, and with a strange kind of benevolence, ‘Interlude’ provides a space for reflection and further demonstrates the band’s versatile nature. ‘Burning Out’ and ‘Deja Vu’ soon re-establish the hard-core element and the essential theme of the album. Overall, ‘What’s Worth More?’ is certainly fast paced and hard hitting, yet it is expressive and retains a lot to keep it fresh, keep you interested, and keep you wanting more.

Like a freight train on steroids, Cleveland’s Chimaira pack a serious punch with their sixth studio album ‘The Age of Hell’! As one might expect, the album takes no prisoners, and right from the start the musical equivalent of a Supernova is summarily unleashed. However, despite the initial onslaught, as the album unfolds there is much subtlety and finesse which constantly bubbles to the surface. Notwithstanding the superb production, the light speed staccato riffage elements on the album are tempered by abstract moments and contrasting tempos. Underpinning all of this is a very high degree of musicianship, and from all quarters the delivery is refined to perfection. Of particular note are the lead guitar breaks by Rob Arnold, which are second to none, and of which ‘Samsara’ is a case in point! In short, if total ‘in-yer-face’ attitude, dynamism and virtuoso musicianship all rock your boat, then this album is a must for the collection.

‘World War III’ sees Chicago alt-rock quartet Madina Lake complete the final phase of their arcane conceptual trilogy. Drawing on energy from the bands recent personal trauma, the unbridled energy at the albums core takes us deep into the depths of human emotion, from the dark and sombre to the triumphal and sublime. The album gets off to a high-octane start, and focuses a very tight and almost rebellious musical energy which bristles throughout. Tempering the adrenalin-laden facade, the emotional pulse at the heart of it provides for a roller-coaster ride as the journey frequently meanders into darker territory. Overall, the combination of the slick and edgy riff work, the emotive melodies and its lyrical incisiveness will definitely keep you thoroughly engaged.

Words and Pictures by Jus Forrest – click photo for review:

ANNOUNCE UK TOUR THIS NOVEMBER With support from Anti Nowhere League and UK Subs

Tuesday 9th May 2011 – Hard Rock legends Motorhead have today announced that they will be returning to the UK for their annual tour this November. This year the band will be supported on their 11 date run by British Punk bands Anti Nowhere League and UK Subs.

In keeping with what has now become tradition for any self respecting rock fan, Motorhead lead by rock icon Lemmy return for their annual, country-wide November tour. Starting on 2nd November in Wolverhampton, the tour will stop at 11 cities across the UK, winding up on 18th November in Manchester. The huge success of their 35th Anniversary tour in 2010 and the release of critically acclaimed rockumentary ‘Lemmy’, proved that Motorhead are very much keeping everything louder than everything else. This year, as well as the Motorhead tour, Lemmy’s side project ‘HeadCat’ will be releasing brand new album ‘Walk The Walk, Talk The Talk’ in July this and a Live DVD will be released later in the year as well.

Supports this year come from two of Britain’s most respected and long standing Punk bands Anti Nowhere League and UK Subs. Speaking on touring with Motorhead, Animal from Anti Nowhere League had the following to say …

‘For years we have been asked by our fans ‘When are you going to play with Motorhead?’. So this is it, it will be a great ending to a fantastic year. Motorhead have always been a big influence on the ANWL and for me it is a personal honour to take to the same stage as these men. We are committed to making this tour something everyone will be talking about forever, the coming together of different styles of hard, in-your-face rock..’

The UK Subs added …

“The UK Subs have been huge fans of Motorhead for years, so to be invited to be part of this exciting tour in November is a massive honour !”

Don’t miss your chance to see this stellar line up when it comes your way in November.

• NOVEMBER 2011
• WEDNESDAY 2 WOLVERHAMPTON CIVIC HALL
• THURSDAY 3 NEWCASTLE CITY HALL
• SATURDAY 5 O2 ACADEMY GLASGOW
• SUNDAY 6 LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY – MOUNTFORD HALL
• TUESDAY 8 BRISTOL COLSTON HALL
• FRIDAY 11 NORWICH UEA
• SATURDAY 12 LONDON HMV HAMMERSMITH APOLLO
• MONDAY 14 PLYMOUTH PAVILIONS
• TUESDAY 15 SOUTHAMPTON GUILDHALL
• THURSDAY 17 NOTTINGHAM ROYAL CENTRE
• FRIDAY 18 O2 APOLLO MANCHESTER

Tickets go onsale 9am on Friday 13th May priced £32.50 London / £26.00 regionally (subject to booking fee) and are available from www.livenation.co.uk

ROGER DALTREY TO PERFORM THE WHO’S LEGENDARY “TOMMY” ALBUM FROM START TO FINISH

THE SET WILL ALSO INCLUDE A VARIETY OF THE WHO’S CLASSICS AND MORE

ROGER DALTREY, the iconic lead singer of The Who, will perform The Who’s legendary rock opera TOMMY from start to finish at selected shows throughout the UK this summer. Daltrey recently premiered Tommy from start to finish at The Royal Albert Hall in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust on March 25th. Roger is now taking it on the road, beyond the majesty of TOMMY, each night music fans will also be treated to a variety of Who Classics and more.

Employing the use of striking visuals to accompany the music, every show will be an unforgettable concert experience for lifelong fans and newcomers alike. The much-anticipated tour will hit the road in July (dates below) Tickets for the tour go on sale May 6th at 9am from www.livenation.co.uk

TOMMY is not only one of the most acclaimed and defining works of the rock era, it is also an enduring album that resonates on radio to this day where it has found multi-generational appeal. Inducted into The Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, the 20 million-selling double album also spawned a successful 1975 film of the same name–with DALTREY playing the title role–which re-underlined its place in the cultural firmament. Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductee DALTREY is pulling out all the stops with a full backing band that will bring the rock opera’s wide-ranging sounds and textures to life vibrantly on stage every evening. Joining DALTREY will be Frank Simes (guitar), Scott Deavours (drums), Jon Button(Bass), Loren Gold (Keyboards) and also on guitar will be SIMON TOWNSHEND,younger brother of The Who’s guitarist PETE TOWNSHEND

Pete Townshend, commenting on the tour says ”Great to see Roger performing TOMMY with his band in 2011. I will be there in spirit, and Roger has my complete and most loving support. Roger is touring his unique concert version of TOMMY using his faithful presentation of the original work as the backbone for a set of wider material …it is wonderful to hear the way Roger and his new band re-interpret the old Who songs.”

Throughout this tour, songs such as “Pinball Wizard,” “The Acid Queen,” “I’m Free,” “See Me, Feel Me” and “We’re Not Gonna Take It” promise to transport attendees into the world of this classic album with shuddering intensity and poetic power. A 1989 tour by The Who saw them reprise TOMMY live; the upcoming DALTREY tour will differ in that all of the album’s songs will be played. When DALTREY and his band performed TOMMY in March 2011 at a sell out concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, The Independent called the show “a faithful reading…The stand-outs, ‘I’m Free,’ and ‘See Me, Feel Me’ and the anthemic climax of ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ are rousing. ”Afterwards the Who blogosphere was alight with comments from long standing fans lucky enough to see the show such as ”Roger nailed Tommy” and ”last nights concert was the best I’ve ever seen-what a great band”

Roger describes the show and visuals as ”A Tommy Show for today’s audience from a different perspective” TOMMY an album that tells a story about a “deaf, dumb, and blind boy” who becomes the leader of a messianic movement–will always be a turning point for the band, according to DALTREY. He recalls, ‘Within Tommy, I found the new voice of The Who and the band found its stride in making that music, adjusting it, using all that knowledge that we had from jazz and the blues into making it work in a rock way.” The tour dates are as follows: JULY 2011

THURSDAY 7 JULY – MANCHESTER BRIDGEWATER HALL

SATURDAY 9 JULY – NOTTINGHAM ROYAL CENTRE

TUESDAY 12 JULY – BRISTOL COLSTON HALL

TUESDAY 19 JULY – HULL CITY HALL

Tickets: £45.00 / £40.00 adv (all subject to booking fee) On sale: Friday 6TH May 2011 – 9am from:

www.livenation.co.uk

Michael Schenker won the Classic Rock Roll of Honour “Marshall 11″ award at London’s Roundhouse Theatre on 10th November 2010. The Marshall 11 award is given to those artists and musicians who represent rock n’ roll excess and living life on the edge!

Photo by Steve Brinkman

Compiled by Jus Forrest and Helen Waterman, “Remembering Eden – 30th Anniversary Tour Book” is a stunning visual showcase which salutes the return of Ultravox to the live stage in 2009. Apart from its very evocative photographic story board, the narrative also includes fascinating insights by key Ultravox personnel and also fan recollections from the Return to Eden 1 (2009) and Return to Eden 2 (2010) tours. For more information on this beautiful book, and how to obtain a copy, go to: Remembering Eden Official Site

To read the interview with co-author of the book, Jus Forrest, go to: ULTRAVOX Remembering Eden – 30th Anniversary Tour Book